Introduction to the Master in Advanced Materials

Once the course Introduction to the Master's in Advanced Materials has been completed, the objective is for students to:
1- Understand the main types of 2D materials based on their structural characteristics and composition.
2- Become familiar with top-down and bottom-up preparation techniques for 2D materials, van der Waals heterostructures, and nanocomposites.
3- Acquire knowledge of the components, molecules, and materials that are essential for the design and fabrication of quantum devices.

Unit 1 – Basic Concepts on the Properties of Advanced Materials
1.1. Crystalline structures of solids, reciprocal lattice, and defects in solids.
1.2. Main electronic structures of materials: Orbitals and one-dimensional band structures. Bloch functions and band structures; the Fermi level; density of states.
1.3. Relationship between crystal structure, electronic structure, and properties: Electrical properties of materials (insulators, semiconductors, metals, and superconductors). Optical properties (light-matter interaction, optical absorption in semiconductors, concept of exciton and excitonic recombination). Magnetic properties (magnetic interactions; magnetic ordering; magneto-structural correlations). Electrochemical properties (relationship between structure and photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and energy storage capacities).

Unit 2– Fundamentals of Advanced Materials Preparation and Processing Techniques
2.1. Main techniques for the preparation of nanostructured materials and nanoparticles.
2.2. Advanced techniques for preparing materials from solution (intercalation chemistry, colloidal chemistry, supramolecular chemistry) and from solid state (chemical vapor deposition (CVD), chemical vapor transport (CVT), etc.).
2.3. Material processing into thin films (Langmuir-Blodgett techniques, layer-by-layer assembly, spin coating, electrochemical growth, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), molecular beam epitaxy, sputtering, etc.).

Unit 3 – Fundamentals of Materials Characterization Techniques
3.1. Diffraction techniques: X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, neutron diffraction.
3.2. Spectroscopic techniques: Vibrational spectroscopies (Raman, IR), photoelectron spectroscopy and related techniques (XPS, UPS, NEXAFS).
3.3. Microscopy techniques: Electron microscopy, far-field microscopy, scanning probe microscopy (AFM, STM, MFM, SNOM).
3.4. Magnetic and electronic transport techniques.
3.5. Electrochemical techniques used in energy storage and conversion (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, impedance spectroscopy).

General Bibliography

• Concepts of crystal structure, electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties:
Callister, W.D. & Rethwisch, D.G. Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction (Wiley)
• Fundamentals of structures and material properties, useful as a core textbook:
Rodriguez, F. et al. Principles of Materials Science and Engineering (McGraw-Hill)
• Thermodynamic fundamentals, especially for synthesis and processing:
Gaskell, D.R. & Laughlin, D.E. Introduction to the Thermodynamics of Materials (CRC Press)

Topic 1:
• Ashcroft, N.W. & Mermin, N.D. Solid State Physics. Excellent for electronic structure, bands, Fermi level, and electronic properties.
• Kittel, C. Introduction to Solid State Physics. A classic reference for understanding electrical, optical, and magnetic properties.
• Sze, S.M. & Ng, K.K. Physics of Semiconductor Devices. For specific treatment of semiconductors and optical phenomena.
• Bard, A.J. & Faulkner, L.R. Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications. Fundamental for electrochemistry and energy-related properties.

Topic 2:
• Cao, G. & Wang, Y. Nanostructures and Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications. Excellent for nanomaterials and thin film synthesis techniques.
• Martin, C.R. Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Application. A modern and useful reference in nanostructured materials chemistry.
• Brinker, C.J. & Scherer, G.W. Sol-Gel Science: The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing. Key for solution-based synthesis methods.
• George, S.M. Atomic Layer Deposition: An Overview. For advanced layer-by-layer growth and thin films.

Topic 3:
• Egerton, R.F. Physical Principles of Electron Microscopy. For TEM, SEM, and related microscopies.
• Warren, B.E. X-ray Diffraction. A solid foundation for understanding X-ray diffraction.
• Atkins, P. & de Paula, J. Physical Chemistry (Chapters on spectroscopy). For IR, Raman, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
• Czanderna, A.W. & Hercules, D.M. Methods of Surface Analysis. Covers XPS, UPS, NEXAFS, and other surface techniques.
• Barsoukov, E. & Macdonald, J.R. Impedance Spectroscopy: Theory, Experiment, and Applications. A key text for electrochemical analysis and energy storage.

(*) Additional online resources will be made available to students.

Knowledge:
CON3: Understand the main types of 2D materials based on their structural characteristics and composition.
CON4: Be familiar with top-down and bottom-up preparation techniques for 2D materials, van der Waals heterostructures, and nanocomposites.
CON10: Acquire knowledge of the components, molecules, and materials that are essential for the design and development of quantum devices.

Skills:
HAB10: Understand the structure–property relationship in different advanced materials responsive to stimuli, and distinguish their fields of application.

Competences:
COMP1: Understand the main techniques for preparation, characterization, and evaluation of the properties of 2D materials, van der Waals heterostructures, and nanocomposites, as well as the information they provide and their limitations.
COMP6: Have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue future doctoral studies in the field of materials.
COMP7: Enable students from one field of knowledge (e.g., physics) to communicate and interact scientifically with colleagues from other fields (e.g., chemistry) in the analysis and resolution of common problems.
COMP8: Perform critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of new ideas to solve problems in complex or unfamiliar environments within broader contexts of materials’ impact and application.
COMP9: Relate the type of advanced material to the most appropriate methods of production, manufacturing, and processing of the final device.

Transversal Competences:
CT1: Social commitment and sustainability: Contribute to the design, development, and implementation of solutions that address societal demands, considering the Sustainable Development Goals as a reference.
CT2: Critical thinking, ethical commitment, and professional responsibility: Demonstrate critical and self-critical reasoning within the scope of the degree, considering aspects such as professional ethics, moral values, and the social implications of various activities carried out.
CT3: Teamwork and leadership: Collaborate effectively in work teams, assuming responsibilities and leadership roles, and contributing to collective improvement and development.
CT4: Learning ability, responsibility, and decision-making: Act autonomously in learning, make informed decisions in different contexts, render judgments based on experimentation and analysis, and transfer knowledge to new situations.
CT6: Creative and entrepreneurial capacity: Propose creative and innovative solutions to complex situations or problems within the field of knowledge, to meet diverse professional and societal needs.
CT7: Gender perspective: Know and understand, from the perspective of the degree, the inequalities based on sex and gender in society; integrate different needs and preferences based on sex and gender into the design of solutions and problem-solving.
CT8: Emotional intelligence: Understand and regulate one's own emotions and those of others to interact and participate effectively and constructively in social and professional life.

Attendance at classes is mandatory, and non-attendance will negatively affect the final evaluation. The main learning activities (AF) and teaching methodologies (MD) will include lectures (AF01, MD1), seminars (AF02), and scheduled tutorials (AF03). During the seminars, the theoretical content of the module will be applied through practical work. Methodologies used in these sessions include article discussions (MD2), debates and guided discussions (MD3), analysis of case studies and problem-solving tasks (MD4), as well as visits to laboratories and scientific facilities (MD5).

Students will be required to complete individual or group assignments related to some of the concepts explained in class (MD6, AF09), and will also work independently to prepare for lectures (AF04) and the module exam (AF05).

In scheduled tutorials (AF03), instructors will support students in their learning process by resolving doubts about the subject matter, helping reinforce their understanding. These group tutorials will primarily take place in person, as both faculty and students belong to the same university.

(*) Lectures (AF01), seminars (AF02), and scheduled tutorials (AF03) are held in person.

The evaluation of this subject includes:

• Active participation in face-to-face activities (20% of the final grade): continuous assessment of students based on their involvement and engagement in the teaching-learning process. To evaluate this aspect, the instructor will monitor student participation and contributions during lectures and especially during seminar sessions. Participation in debates, discussions, and the resolution of simple problems related to the course content will be taken into account. The student's level of interest, comprehension, and analytical ability will be assessed, as well as their skill in formulating relevant questions and comments and responding to questions and problems posed by the instructor.

• Completion of an individual or group assignment (30% of the final grade): the achievement of different learning outcomes will be assessed through assignments related to the module content. These assignments may be carried out individually or in small groups and will be followed by an oral presentation. Aspects such as the depth and accuracy of content understanding, coherence and logical structure of the work, appropriate use of bibliographic sources, and the relevance of the conclusions will be considered. Furthermore, the students’ ability to work as a team—fostering collaboration, effective communication, and joint problem-solving skills—will also be assessed. The oral presentation of the work will allow assessment of the student’s ability to communicate information clearly, in a structured and persuasive manner, as well as their mastery of the module content.

• Written exam on the basic contents of the subject (50% of the final grade): the achievement of different learning outcomes will be evaluated through individual written exams. The assessment will consider the level of understanding of the key concepts and topics covered in the module, as well as the student’s ability to apply them in various academic and practical contexts. Exams will be conducted in person to ensure equal conditions for all students and to allow for a controlled and reliable assessment. Exams may include multiple-choice questions, short answers, brief essays, and problem-solving exercises to assess both acquired knowledge and the students’ analytical, synthesis, and reasoning abilities.
Attendance at formative activities is mandatory. In order to pass the module, students must attend all face-to-face sessions, except in duly justified cases. The instructor will be responsible for recording attendance, either by roll call, signature sheets, or equivalent methods.

•In-class work will consist of theoretical lectures (70 hours), seminars (7 hours), and scheduled tutorials (3 hours).
•Independent student work will involve exam preparation (60 hours) and the completion of individual or group assignments (60 hours).

The total number of dedication hours will be 200, of which 80 will be face-to-face and the remaining 120 non-face-to-face.

• It is essential to keep up with the study of the subject in order to facilitate the progressive assimilation of the content.
• At the end of each unit, it is recommended to prepare a summary of the key points, identifying the fundamental concepts that should be remembered and understanding both their meaning and the conditions under which they can be applied.

The course will be taught in English.

For this module, student mobility is not required, as it covers basic and fundamental concepts related to advanced materials, and all participating universities have qualified faculty to deliver this content.
Teaching the module separately at each university allows for smaller groups and enables more tailored and personalized instruction for students based on their prior academic background.
Moreover, since students do not need to relocate from their usual place of residence, classes can be more spaced out, giving them more time to work on and internalize the concepts learned between sessions.

This module will help students become familiar with the fundamental concepts of advanced materials and prepare them to absorb the more advanced knowledge and content covered in the upcoming intensive modules.